Bill Falls: Transforming Travel Experiences into Global Citizenship

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This commentary is authored by Bill Falls, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Vermont.

Following my recent visit to Mexico City, I’ve been contemplating how deeply international experiences can broaden one’s perspective of the world. 

Mexico City, with its lively, dynamic, and multicultural environment, stands at the nexus of rich historical traditions and contemporary global influences. My time spent in this extraordinary city confirmed for me the invaluable significance of global experiences in a liberal arts education.

A liberal arts education emphasizes analytical thinking, moral reasoning, empathy, and the abilities required to engage with and learn from diverse cultures and viewpoints. International experiences immerse learners in various cultural frameworks, encouraging them to think critically and perceive the world through multiple perspectives. Such experiences nurture a deeper comprehension of global challenges that transcend national borders while also promoting a sense of responsibility and awareness, all of which aids students in becoming more fully engaged citizens of the world.

For many years, the University of Vermont’s College of Arts and Sciences has been providing students with this global viewpoint through rich and diverse classroom engagements. Our major in global and regional studies takes an interdisciplinary route in analyzing cultural, political, economic, environmental, and social concerns that are prevalent across the globe.

Our institution for world languages and cultures provides seven foreign languages, with study concentrating not solely on language acquisition but also on linguistics as well as the literature and cultures of the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Alongside these majors and minors, we offer numerous courses in the humanities, arts, and social sciences that investigate the histories, cultures, and politics of nations and regions worldwide.

Recently, the university acknowledged the significance of equipping all UVM students with global perspectives by incorporating two fundamental global citizenship course requirements into our Catamount Core general education program: a global systems course that examines a global phenomenon from a cultural, political, economic, ecological, artistic, or technological standpoint; and a global citizenship course that aids undergraduates in developing the necessary skills to effectively participate as a citizen in local communities and the broader world.

Although coursework focused on global issues is a foundation of a UVM education, the worth of visiting and studying in a different country is immeasurable. Being in an unfamiliar environment — particularly one where English is not commonly spoken — compels students to adapt and navigate their surroundings in innovative ways that reinforce analytical thinking, moral reasoning, and empathy. This is why the College of Arts and Sciences, guided by Associate Dean Paul Deslandes, provides students with various international travel study opportunities, ranging from days-long faculty-led excursions to the conventional semester abroad.

These global travel study opportunities are accessible to students throughout their time at UVM, commencing even before they set foot on campus. Interim President Patty Prelock launched UVM Go, a pre-orientation initiative for incoming first-year students that focuses on global learning, the cultivation of intercultural knowledge and skills, and community building.

This autumn, for instance, faculty members from the College of Arts and Sciences led UVM Go programs to Costa Rica, Iceland, and Canada. Each provided immersive cultural experiences and opportunities to learn about the country’s history and culture, effectively communicating UVM’s dedication to globally focused education. In 2025, we will broaden these offerings to include a program in London.

UVM has also engaged in providing students with faculty-led, weeks-long travel study experiences. These programs, available during winter, spring, and summer breaks, have taken students to England to explore history and literature, Brazil to delve into the history of Brazilian music and dance, and Ecuador to investigate the ecology of the high Andes.

This year, the College of Arts and Sciences will introduce travel study courses to France to study modern art, Rome to investigate ancient history and culture, and Germany and Poland to explore the memories and aesthetics of the Holocaust. Importantly, these travel study programs are not tourism but opportunities to enhance students’ education through immersive academic experiences.

Naturally, we also offer our students numerous options for traditional, semester-long travel study experiences. In addition to supporting students who enroll in any of the myriad semester-long programs provided by other universities, UVM has collaborated with top institutions in Ireland, New Zealand, and South Korea to offer students a cohort-based immersive cultural experience where a group of UVM students live and learn alongside students from the host countries and many other international peers.

 Most students return from their international studies profoundly transformed, having gained countless awe-inspiring experiences, enduring relationships within their host communities, and a profound love and appreciation for their host nations.

Because we assert that global experiences are vital to a liberal arts education, we are equally dedicated to making sure that these experiences are financially attainable for all students. The university provides need-based scholarships for students eager to participate in UVM Go. Additionally, we are collaborating with the UVM Foundation to generate funds to help offset the expenses of the weeks-long travel study programs. Moreover, students participating in our signature programs in Ireland, New Zealand, and South Korea are permitted to apply their UVM scholarships and federal aid to study abroad.

By emphasizing global experiences, UVM and the College of Arts and Sciences not only enrich their curriculum but also equip students with the abilities and perspectives required to flourish. These opportunities transcend traditional academics, promoting personal development, cultural exchange, and a lasting commitment to global citizenship. As the world continues to grow more interconnected, it is evident that a liberal arts education enhanced with global experiences is crucial for preparing students for future achievements.